By March Twisdale Recently, I wrote an article for The Vashon Loop. A local business owner read the article, or a portion of it, and told a customer of his that he was (1) offended by the article and (2) would no longer offer The Vashon Loop on his countertop to customers. That customer also…
December 2025, Island Voices
Conversation With a Squirrel
By Suzanna Leigh I had a conversation with a squirrel the other day. She was a native “Douglas” squirrel, brownish with a brownish-red underbelly. She seemed to defy gravity as she perched on the side of the shed, hind feet up, her head down closer to my eye level. She looked directly into my eyes…
December 2025, Recipes
Butternut Squash and Ginger Soup
By Craig Bailey, “Fiddlehead Bistro,” Saranac Lake, NY This vegan soup is great for a cold winter day with some crusty bread and a fire. It’s bright and hearty and warms from the inside. It can also be served chilled, but for me it’s all about warmth. To get the meaty undertone, browning the onions…
December 2025, Recipes
Smoothie Sludge Bread
Or, “What To Do With Smoothie Remnants?” By John Valencia We call this my “Smoothie Sludge Bread!” The hiccup is that it requires the pulp leftover from my daily juices. But I guess if people do some juicing, then they’d have it on hand. And the backstory is really just that: I had this leftover…
Children, December 2025, Fiction
The Story of Tomtomtidimiddletom (part 4)
By Andy Valencia The next morning, the car went out on another trip, but Tom didn’t even pay attention. He could feel his body trying to push out a second flower, and he held it back even as his one flower gathered pollen and started trying to grab all his juices to form so many…
December 2025, Entertainment, Llaughing Llamas
Llaughing Llamas Chronicles – December
By Daniel Hooker I went to psychic the other day, and knocked on her door. She said, “Who’s there?” I guessed she wasn’t a full psychic, only a medium, so I left. ~ From Steven at the Library. Q: What is a librarian’s favorite type of mushroom? A: Shhhh, talkies. ~ From Monet at Thriftway….
December 2025, Poetry
Poems From “Grief Age Love”
The following poems are included in a new anthology of poems written by over 30 Vashon poets, and edited by Jeanie Okimoto of Endicott and Hugh Books. Editor’s note: We meant to include the following poem by Lynn Carrigan in our November issue, and feel it is just as rich in December! Enjoy. Mid-November In…
December 2025, Poetry
Forest of My Heart
A winter prayer and proclamation By Jane Valencia Lantern in the darkwoodShine on the wolves!Rouse them from the long spell andthe slumber of the snows. Your campfire burnsin every one of my cells.Wake us, O Lord, into holiness. In the briar’s nestthe dragon yieldsand the elves put down their bowsSurrender, my heart,Surrender again! We assume…